VHF Radio How To Use – 6 Easy Steps

VHF Radio How To Use? Most new VHF users get their initial experience by calling another person or a marina. After making a few calls, using the VHF radio becomes second nature – just like using the telephone. Here are six easy steps on how to make a VHF Radio call, a video and a written example in addition to some deviations to the common VHF call and a video.

If you’re new to boating or you have a partner who does not know much, make sure to get my guide, VHF Radio Checklists & Templates for Sailors. This guide provides a crash course in VHF communications. After reading it, you’ll be a pro.

How To Make A VHF Radio How To Use

1. Before making a call, ensure that VHF is on the channel you want to use and that no one else is using it.
2. Depress the side button of the radio, speak clearly, and project your voice across the microphone area rather than directly into it. Then, say the name of the boat or person/place you’re calling up to three times, and then say the name of your boat up to three times.
3. When the person you’re calling responds, if you’re on Channel 16, you must suggest moving to a different working channel to continue the conversation. Never converse on Channel 16 or any hailing channel; it is only for initial contact and emergencies.
4. Once the person you’re calling responds that they’re moving to another channel, you change channels and say the boat name up to three times and then your boat names up to three times.
5. After the boat you’re calling responds, both parties can take turns saying ‘over’ (NEVER ‘over and out’) whenever the person speaking is done talking and waiting for a reply.
6. When all communications are over, both parties will say ‘out’ to indicate that the conversation has ended. And that’s how to make a VHF radio call 🙂

A VHF Radio How To Use Video Example

How To Make A VHF Radio How To Use Example

An example of two cruisers using the VHF radio on channel 16 is as follows:

Britican: “Alchemy, Alchemy, Alchemy this is Britican, Britican, Britican. Over”
Alchemy: “Britican, Britican, Britican this is Alchemy, Alchemy, Alchemy. Over”
Britican: “Alchemy this is Britican, please change to channel 69. Over”
Alchemy: “Britican this is Alchemy changing to channel 69. Over”

(Both boats change to channel 69)

Britican: “Alchemy this is Britican. Over”
Alchemy: “Britican this is Alchemy. Over”
Britican: Say message and end with “Over”
Alchemy: Say message and end with “Over”

(Both repeat back and forth until the conversation is over)

Britican: Communicate the last message and when done, say “Out”
Alchemy: Communicate the last message and when done, say “Out”

VHF Radio How To Use Deviations

Here is the basic outline of how to make a proper VHF call when trying to contact another party, such as a buddy boat, port authority, or marina.

A boat name is said up to three times to increase the chances that the person being called can hear both their boat name and the boat name of the person calling. And often, it’s the boat being called that might suggest a different channel to move to.

After the initial communication of saying both boat names three times, callers often say the name of the boat once or not at all.

Once both parties change to different channels, communications become less formal.

Furthermore, when cruisers are done talking, they sometimes drop the ‘out’ and say ‘Britican going back to 68’. It’s another way to say, ‘Okay…I’m done talking, and I’m going back to the main hailing channel.’

When listening to the Coastguard talk, you’ll always hear them say the name of the boat they’re directing their message to and then the Coastguard name during every transmission.

For example, the Coastguard will say every time, ‘Britican, Solent Coastguard, (message), over.’

On the other hand, Cruisers drop the formalities after the initial connection is made and often talk as if they’re on a telephone.

Our #1 Tip VHF Radio How To Use

Get The Guide On How To Make A VHF Radio Call

After my husband and I decided to sell everything we owned, buy a sailboat, and sail around the world, I had to conquer my VHF fears. I had to overcome my anxiety of pronouncing something wrong and saying ‘over’ when I should have said ‘out,’ more importantly, I had to learn how to use the VHF in an emergency.

VHF Radio Checklists & Templates for Sailors was created to help people like me become familiar with what to say, how to say it, and what to do if an emergency occurs. Filled with examples, checklists, and fill-in-the-blank templates, this guide can be given to any crew member for general help making a ship-to-ship call or handling an emergency or safety broadcast. It explains the types of VHF, how to use your VHF Radio, digital selective calling, and everything else about marine VHF radios. Make sure to visit our Sailing Guides shop!

10 Reasons You’ll Need To Make A VHF Call

1. Emergency: To call for help in a distress situation (Mayday). This is the most important reason to have and know how to use a VHF radio. Make sure to understand digital selective calling or DSC.
2. Safety: To communicate with other vessels to avoid collisions, especially in low visibility or crowded waterways.
3. Weather: To get updated weather forecasts from a local station or other boats in the area.
4. Security: To report suspicious activity or request assistance from authorities if you feel unsafe.
5. Assistance: To ask for help with mechanical problems or other non-emergency situations where you might need a tow or advice.
6. Social: To chat with other cruisers in the area, make plans to meet up, or exchange information.
7. Cruiser Nets: To participate in organized radio nets where cruisers share information about anchorages, weather, local events, and more.
8. Official Business: Contact customs and immigration when entering or leaving a country by boat.
9. Medical: To request medical advice or assistance in a non-emergency situation where professional help might be needed.

This is an excellent one of the VHF marine radios: VHF Radio Handheld.